On my way to work today, my mind started wandering to past memories. I started thinking about some of the simplest things my parents did with us as children and how much they meant to us. These happy memories are locked in my mind forever and pop into my train of thought every now and then, bringing a smile to my face.

I was thinking of the many Christmases my mother would take the time with us to create our own holiday ornaments. We didn't have a lot of money, so we would go to the craft store and buy bottles of glitter, sequins and styrofoam balls to create what we thought were the most beautiful Christmas ornaments ever to adorn a Christmas tree. I still have these ornaments today, and every year when I trim my tree I think of the fun we had.

We would also go into the woods and collect pine cones, and I remember the strong smell of pine needles. We would put glitter of all colors on our pine cones, attach them to red ribbons and hang them throughout the house. Now when I smell the scent of pine, I think of our trips to the woods.

My mother always encouraged us to be creative. We would take scraps of all kinds and see what we could create with them. Because of my mother, one of my favorite things to do now is to go to my workshop and create birdhouses from discarded materials. It lifts my spirit to use my creativity and construct things I can share with others.

One of Oprah Winfrey’s fondest memories is of one Christmas when her family was broke. Her mother told her that they were very poor and they would not be getting any gifts for Christmas that year. She recalls thinking how hard it would be to tell the other children that she did not get any gifts because of their financial status. That Christmas two nuns came to her house with gifts for her, and that memory has remained with her ever since. Now Oprah gives so much away to all people, both material and spiritual, and she thanks the two nuns who were so kind to her that one Christmas. Just one simple act by the nuns rippled into so many directions, touching millions of lives.

We don't have to take expensive trips or spend a lot of money to create memories. The simplest acts of kindness and love will remain in someone’s heart for an eternity. Take your children to a movie, go on a nature hike, or, as my Mom did, sit and teach them to use their creativity.

I pray that each of us as WAVES will make our own new memories and some very special ones for others that will remain in their hearts for an eternity.

I wish you all the very Merriest of Christmases,
Dave Colelli